Tool for removing automobile headlights



April 8 1924.

G. A. CANNING TOOL FOR REMOVING AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHTS Filed Dec. 4, 1922 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

UlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. CANN'ING, OF SOUTH DEERFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

TOOL FOR REMOVING AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHTS.

Application filed December 4, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, GEORGE A. GANNING, citizen of the United States, residing at South Deerfield, in the county of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tools for Removing Automobile Headlights, of which the following -is a specification.

This invention relates to wrenches of the type adapted to frictionally embrace circular objects and more particularly to wrenches for embracing and removin the rims or lens holders of automobile eadlights and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a device that may be easily and quickly applied to an object such as a headlight rim that is constructed and arranged so that it will not injure the rim during the clamping action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple device by reason of which its manufacturing cost is greatly lessened.

The form of the invention as at present preferred is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the device;

Fig. 2' is a sectional elevation taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4: is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the perforated end of the flexible stri Referring tothe drawing in detail the device comprises a band or strip 1 preferably of a flexible and resilient material such as spring steel or the like that is adapt ed to conform to the circular shape of the article around which the band is to be bent. The end 2 thereof is provided with a plurality of perforations or openings 3 which in this case are shown as being circular in shape but which, may be of any shape desired and are provided for the purpose as will later appear.

A block 5 is fixed to the underside of the strip 1 by rivets 6 or the like and is provided in its upper side with a U-shaped recess 8 that servesas a bearing for the handle H. The under side 7 of the block 5 is curved to conform to the circular contour of a headlight rim and its purpose is to distribute the pressure upon the rim dur- Serial No. 604,958.

ing the clamping and removing operation. A friction lining 9 is secured to the inner surface of the band 1 and block 5 by any suitable means such as rivets and preferably is of a resilient or yieldable material such as rubber or other material that is. adapted to be bent to conform to the shape of a lamp rim, and that is capable of frictionally engaging the rim.

An operating handle H is provided, the lower end of which is bifurcated in the form of two separated side portions 10 that are separated a suflicient distance to embrace the block 5. .A pivot member 11 connects the portions 10. at the lower ends thereof and is adapted to rest in the U-shaped slot 8 of the block and is held therein by the band 1 as best shown in Fig. 1. A transverse cylindrical member 12 is also connected to the portion 10 and serves to support the strip 1 and bolt B.

The upper end of the handle H is pref.- erably semi-circular in cross-section as best shown in Figs. 3 and at and is provided with transverse webs 14 that are notched as at 14 to receive and guide the bolt B. A slot 13 is provided in one side of the handle to limit the movement of the bolt B and a web 19 in the upper end thereof serves as an abutment for the spring 18.

The bolt B is preferably rectangular in cross-section and fits loosely within guides 14 of the webs 14 of the handle and is adapted for a longitudinal movement therein. Its lower end is preferably cylindrical in cross-section as at 15 and is adapted to enter and engage the circular openings 3 0f the strip 1. A head 16 carried by the bolt slides within'the slot 13 of the handle and is riveted or spun upon its outer end to hold the bolt in place in its guides. A knob 17 is provided on the forward side of the bolt by the means of which the bolt may be manually moved upwardly and out of engagement with the perforations of the strip. A compression spring 18 is interosed between the upper end of the bolt B and web 19 of tie handle. and functions to normally hold the bolt in the strip engaging position shown in Fig. 1.

In general the device is adapted for embracing Various circular objects but as before stated is particularly applicable forengaging and removing the rims of head lights and its operation will now be described in connection therewith. In removing a head light rinrthe nexible band or strip 1 is laid around the .rijni and with the bolt B being withdrawn the perforated end 2 of the band is passed between the bifurcated end of the handle. and over the bar 12.

NVhen the band is pulled snugly around the rim the handle knob 17 is released to allow the spring 18 to force the bolt downwardso that its end 15 may engage an opening 3 of the strip end 2. When thus so adjusted the'handle H is moved to the right which movement causes the band to tightly and frictionally embrace the head lamp rim and move the same in the direction of the handle movement. The block 5 by reason of its inner curved surfaces bears upon a considerable portion of the rim and distributes the thrust of the pitot 11 about the rim of the head lamp and therefore prevents the rim becoming dented or otherwise injured.

Having described my invention what I desire to claim is- 1. A head lamp wrench comprising in combination, a flexible strip having one of its ends perforated, a block fixed to the other end of said strip having a U-shaped slot in the upper side thereof that underlies the said strip to provide a bearing therewith, a handle having bifurcated ends that are connected with a pivot member that interfits the said heating and a transverse bar 2. A head lamp \vrench comprising in combination, aflexible strip having a perforated end, a block fixed to the other end of the said strip having a U-shaped recess in the upper side thereof that underlies the said strip to form a bearing therein. a handle having bifurcated ends that straddle the said block and that are connected by a pivot that imterlits the said bearing and a transverse member for supporting the perforated end of said strip, a bolt slidable Within the handle for engaging the perforation of said strip that abuts the said transverse bar, that is provided with a projection, the said handle being provided with a. slot to receivethe projection of the bolt to limit the relative movement thereof, and a spring carried by the handle that tends to move the said bolt to its strip engaging position.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

GEORGE A. CANNING, 

